Fishing

Fishing Forecast

Mogollon Rim  |  White Mountains

Fishing Rating:   Hot  Good   Fair  Poor

Mogollon Rim

Bear Canyon Lake – Rating:

During a normal winter, vehicle access to Bear Canyon Lake is impossible due to heavy snow and road closures.The US Forest Service normally closes the 300 Road/Rim Road after the first significant snowfall. If access to Bear Canyon Lake remains open, trout fishing should be fair. Trout were last stocked in September and some may persist into winter. Cool water temperatures may decrease trout activity, so fish during the warmest parts of the day. Try nymphs under an indicator, small gold lures, or PowerBait to attract hungry trout. Green sunfish were illegally introduced to this lake. Anglers are encouraged to remove any sunfish caught. Bear Canyon Lake may partially or completely ice over throughout the winter; anglers should use caution and check recent weather reports when ice fishing.

Black Canyon Lake – Rating: 

During a normal winter, vehicle access to Black Canyon Lake is impossible due to heavy snow and road closures. The US Forest Service normally closes the 300 Road/Rim Road and/or Forest Road 86/86B after the first significant snowfall. After a poor winter and hot summer, Black Canyon Lake is quite low. Catchable-sized rainbow trout were only stocked during the spring, and late summer water quality measurements were poor. Trout fishing may be difficult throughout the winter. The lake also currently contains illegally introduced green sunfish and largemouth bass; anglers are encouraged to catch and remove these species to help control their populations. There is no limit for bass and sunfish here. Black Canyon Lake may partially or completely ice over throughout the winter, but ice conditions are generally unsafe for ice fishing.

Chevelon Canyon – Rating: 

During a normal winter, vehicle access to Chevelon Canyon Lake trailhead is impossible due to heavy snow and road closures. The US Forest Service normally closes the 300 Road/Rim Road and Forest Road 169 after the first significant snowfall. Trout will be less active during the winter, however rainbow trout and wild brown trout may be hungry during the warmest parts of the day.  Try small gold Kastmasters, Panther Martin spinners and Rapalas. Fly-fishermen should try small crayfish-colored patterns, black or brown Wooly Buggers or Simi-Seal leeches, or small nymphs under an indicator. Lake levels are way down and launching boats will be difficult this winter. Chevelon Canyon Lake is a hike-in or ATV accessible lake only, with a two trout limit and artificial fly/lure only regulations. Chevelon Canyon Lake may partially or completely ice over throughout the winter, but ice conditions are generally unsafe for ice fishing.

Clear Creek Reservoir – Rating:

Rainbow trout are stocked once in April and once in May as a put-and-take fishery. Fishing is fair after stockings but can diminish as water warms beyond trout tolerance. Fishing for sunfish, catfish and carp remains good throughout the summer. Try small hooks with a worm and bobber near rocks and structure for sunfish. For bullhead and channel catfish, use bait on bottom such as worms and chicken livers, especially at night when catfish are most active.

Willow Springs Lake – Rating:

During a normal winter, vehicle access to Willow Springs Lake is impossible due to heavy snow and road closures. The US Forest Service normally closes Forest Road 149 after the first significant snowfall. Lake levels are low this year, but boat launching is still good until winter road closures take effect. Willow Springs is stocked with catchable rainbow trout weekly until the end of September and tiger trout were stocked in May. Large numbers of trout remain uncaught into the winter and continue to provide good opportunity for anglers as long as weather allows. Try Kastmasters, small Rapalas or Panther Martins for either species during the warmest parts of the day when trout will be most active. Shore anglers fishing for trout can try nightcrawlers or PowerBait. Green sunfish and smallmouth bass were illegally introduced to this lake. Try a small hook with a worm under a bobber, especially during the warmer parts of the day. Willow Springs Lake may partially or completely ice over throughout the winter; anglers should use caution and check recent weather reports when ice fishing.

Woods Canyon Lake – Rating:

During a normal winter, vehicle access to Woods Canyon Lake is impossible due to heavy snow and road closures. The US Forest Service normally closes 300 Road/Rim Road and Forest Road 105 after the first significant snowfall. Large numbers of stocked rainbow trout and tiger trout remain uncaught into the winter and continue to provide good opportunity for anglers.  If fishing for trout from shore, try PowerBait or worms. Fly anglers may have luck if open water remains using small nymphs under an indicator. Until vehicle access is restricted, boaters can try trolling a Super Duper or tiny gold Kastmaster lures. The lake is loaded with crayfish; try fishing for large trout with spinners or lures that imitate crayfish patterns. Fish for illegally stocked green sunfish along the rocky shore with nightcrawlers. The store and boat rentals have closed for the season. Woods Canyon Lake may partially or completely ice over throughout the winter; anglers should use caution and check recent weather reports when ice fishing.

White Mountains

Becker Lake – Rating:

Becker Lake can only be fished with artificial flies and lures with a single-point barbless hook, catch-and-release trout only. Water levels are low but Becker is filling thanks to a newly-piped ditch, so expect lake levels to rise. Try fishing crayfish patterns or nymphs under an indicator near the inlet pipe to mimic small prey getting flushed into the lake. Try Wooly Buggers, Simi-Seal leeches, Prince nymphs or Hare’s Ear. There is limited opportunity for shore fishing and wading especially due to low water, but there is a floating fishing pier that is handicapped accessible. Spin fishermen can try Z-rays, small Kastmasters or Panther Martins with the treble replaced with a single point barbless hook. Illegally introduced largemouth bass can also be found in this lake and anglers are encouraged to harvest bass to help the trout populations. Becker Lake may partially or completely ice over throughout the winter; anglers should use caution and check recent weather reports when ice fishing.

Big Lake – Rating:

During a normal winter, vehicle access to Big Lake is more difficult due to heavy snow and road closures. The U.S. Forest Service normally closes State Route 273 and State Route 261 after the first significant snowfall. Only access from US 191 near Alpine is open, though snow drifts may make vehicle access impossible. Despite summer algae blooms, anglers have been doing well for rainbow trout on bottom and for cutthroat trout in Railroad Cove. Fish until winter weather and road closures inhibit access! Big Lake Store has closed for the season. Big Lake may partially or completely ice over throughout the winter; anglers should use caution and check recent weather reports when ice fishing.

Greer Lakes (Bunch, Tunnel, River) – Rating:

As winter weather comes to the White Mountains, the Greer Lakes are filling again; expect lake levels to rise throughout the winter. When the lakes begin filling, fish near the inflows where the water is freshest. Try insect and crayfish mimic flies and lures and drift them through the flowing fresh water. Rainbow trout were last stocked in June, but few will persist throughout the winter to be caught. Wild brown trout may be found in any of the lakes. Try using streamers like Wooly Buggers, or nymphs under an indicator. Spin fisherman will do well with PowerBait or small gold lures. Illegally introduced yellow perch can be found in River Reservoir; anglers are encouraged to remove any caught to improve trout fishing. The Greer Lakes may partially or completely ice over throughout the winter; anglers should use caution and check recent weather reports when ice fishing.

Carnero Lake – Rating: 

During a normal winter, vehicle access to Carnero Lake is more difficult due to heavy snow and non maintained dirt roads. The U.S. Forest Service does not restrict access, however Forest Road 117 is prone to large, dangerous snow drifts. Despite a summer fish kill, fall fish surveys showed great numbers of rainbow trout and healthy tiger trout.The largest rainbow trout caught was 20 inches long and weighed 3 pounds, though fish averaged 15 inches and 1.5 pounds. Lake levels are low, though winter precipitation will help improve that. However, fishing from the shoreline or using spinners or lures is difficult at this lake because of the weeds. Try using a small boat, canoe or float tube as long as ice conditions allow. Fly fish for rainbow trout and tiger trout with Wooly Buggers, Prince nymphs or light-colored nymphs in open areas. The water is deepest near the islands on the north end of the lake. Carnero Lake may partially or completely ice over throughout the winter; anglers should use caution and check recent weather reports when ice fishing.

Clear Creek Reservoir – Rating: 

As winter weather cools water temperatures, warmwater species like largemouth bass, sunfish, catfish and common carp will be less active. Try fishing during the warmest parts of the day when fish will be most active. Look for areas of shallow water that will be warmest or near cover where prey fish might congregate. Use smaller, shallow-diving crankbaits moved slowly through the water or drop shot near structure. Try small hooks with a worm and bobber near rocks and structure for sunfish. For bullhead and channel catfish, use bait on bottom such as worms and chicken livers, especially at night when catfish are most active. Clear Creek Reservoir may partially or completely ice over throughout the winter, but ice conditions are generally unsafe for ice fishing.

See the pdf file for the remainder of the lakes in the White Mountains region:

Clear creek
Concho
Crescent
Fool hollow
Greer lakes
Lee valley
Little colorado
Little colorado river
Luna
Lyman
Nelson
Patterson
Rainbow lake
Scott
Scott reservoir
Show low creek
Show low creek meadows
Show low lake
Silver creek
Woodland lake

*Community fishing lakes